Member Article

Government unveils £2.3 billion Yorkshire roads investment improving Leeds-Manchester links

The Government has announced 18 new road schemes worth £2.3 billion for Yorkshire and the north east of England, creating an estimated 1,500 construction jobs.

This is part of a £15 billion plan to increase the capacity and condition of England’s roads, which will be announced to parliament today by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.

It represents the biggest investment in roads in a generation and will transform the major corridors of the M1, M62 and A1.

The new funding builds on the improvements that began in 2010, including extending smart motorways westwards along the M62, so they cross the Pennines to link Leeds and Manchester, the first major increase in trans-Pennine capacity since 1971, when the M62 first opened to traffic.

Spending during the next parliament on the local and national roads network across Yorkshire and the north east will be boosted further by maintenance funding worth £1.6 billion.

Patrick McLoughlin said: “Today I am setting out the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades. It will dramatically improve the network and unlock Britain’s economic potential.

“Roads are key to our nation’s prosperity. For too long they have suffered from under-investment.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said: “I promised when I was in the north east that we would address this area’s economic needs for the future.

“Our Long term-economic plan means today we can invest £2.3 billion into the infrastructure in the north east and Yorkshire to improve, repair and expand our roads. This is all about investing in the northern powerhousewe are seeking to build.

“Our plans will transform some of the country’s most important strategic routes, and ambitious projects such as the upgrade of the A1, as well as spending on important local infrastructure, will boost productivity and help the local economy of the north east.

“For years our roads have been neglected. Now that this government is fixing the economy, we can afford to invest properly in our roads – unlocking jobs and local growth by creating a road network that is fit for the 21st century.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .